There are so many unknowns in racing, in fact, that when he first went to auction, even Nyquist was never pegged as a winner.

His parentage was uncertain in terms of producing talent. He was purchased for $400,000 by Bloodstock agent Dennis O’Neill, whose brother Doug took on the job of training the then-unnamed 2-year-old for owner Paul Reddam. USA Today summed up the numbers prior to Nyquist’s Preakness run.

“With eight victories in eight starts – including five Grade I stakes races at five different tracks – Nyquist has already earned $4,954,200, more than 12 times Reddam’s initial investment. He enters the Preakness as the 3-5 morning-line favorite with a reasonable chance to give racing its second straight Triple Crown winner after a 37-year drought.”

Joe Kristufek, racing analyst at Churchill Downs, selected Stradivari as the winner, with Nyquist running a close second.

“Stradivari’s Keeneland allowance win was one of the most visually impressive performances by any racehorse this season. He’s rested, well drawn on the outside and the price will be fair enough to take a shot against the champ.”

Marty McGee of the Daily Racing form said Exaggerator would have his run, with Nyquist trailing along with the goofball grey, “Loony Lani.”

McGee was not alone in his admiration for the big, dark horse Exaggerator, who closed in on Nyquist to finish second in the Derby. Exaggerator was named in all 12 guesstimates by the experts, as placing high in the Preakness field.

“Exaggerator scares us because … he’s the kind of horse that can be laying back and just surge at just the right time. We really respect him a lot but we’re super happy with how Nyquist is coming into this. We feel we’re going to be in a pretty good spot.”

Catch the Preakness Stakes Saturday on NBC at 5 p.m. with a post time of 6:45 p.m. ET.